The Hartford Taste June 9th & 10th

None

Episode Transcript

(00:04):
Welcome the Pulse of the Region,brought to you by the Metro Hartford Alliance.
The Metro Hartford Alliance collaborates with investorsand partners to elevate the Hartford region
through economic development work, convening thecommunity around share challenges, and providing local
chamber support. Learn more about theirmission and how to get involved at Metro
Hartford dot com. Pulse of theRegion is produced in partnership with o'kill.

(00:26):
Originally founded as a school for theblind in eighteen ninety three, OKILL has
provided holistic, person centered services forindividuals with disabilities for over one hundred and
thirty years. With empowerment and independenceas its guiding principles, OKILL works in
partnership with the individuals it serves toprovide residential education and enrichment opportunities. Learn

(00:46):
more at okillct dot org. Nowhere's your host for Pulse of the Region,
Katee Balman. Hello, Hello,and welcome back to another episode of
Pulse of the Region. I amyour host, Katee Balman, and I'm
excited here in studio today at theiHeartMedia Studios in our capital city of Hartford,
and I have guests smiling looking backover at me. So we're gonna

(01:08):
have a great show coming for ithere for you today. So today we
are getting the pulse about the HartfordTaste, the two day food, music
and art festival happening here in Hartfordin June. So the countdown is on
and today joining the conversation, wehave three guests who are all participating in
this year's event. So first thingsfirst, we will introduce from the Hartford

(01:33):
their assistant director of public Relations,Sarah Mourn. So, Sarah, great
to have you here in person onthe show today. Wonderful to be here,
Kate. Great to see you.Great to see you too. I
would say you've been a guest onthe show before, but we've always been
via phone. So it is lovelyto be here live, live in person.
Wonderful, Yes, fantastic. Andour next guest is with the Ital

(01:55):
Juicery Company. It is the owner, chris Anne Miller. So chris Anne,
welcome to the show. Oh,yes, thank you for having me.
Yes, christ half of the IoleDuals for company. Fantastic, Well,
so excited to have you here withus, Christianne. And our last,
but certainly not least, our guest, who is a return to the
show. Also is my colleague marianAndo Clark, who is the Director of

(02:19):
Small Business for the Hertford Chamber ofCommerce. So marian welcome back, Thank
you so much. HIKEI hello,hello, Well let's I say, let's
get diving into this. We havea lot of good stuff and today is
not the day to be hungry doingthis show. And I have to say,
I am like to talk about theHarvard Taste. I'm getting that off
right out there, right off thebat. But you know, first of
all, Marianne kind of before wetalk about the Hartford Taste, always think

(02:43):
it's great to refresh people about allthe great work of the Hartford Chamber of
Commerce that's happening here. So ifyou don't mind giving a little bit of
an overview, Yes, the HarvardChamber of Commerce is an initiative under the
Metroal Hartford Alliance. We serve thesmall business community in the city of Hartford.
We assist Chamber members with connections,networking, opportunities, and resources to
amplify their business while supporting economic developmentin the city. We're also one of

(03:07):
the oldest chambers in the nation,which I find to be a great fun
fact it is. Yeah, Yeah, it's a great fun fact. And
the work that we've been doing isassisting small businesses and finding vacant property spaces
around the city with our amazing Heartliftgrant program. Fantastic. Yes, a
lot of new things happening around thecity and addition to new places opening,

(03:29):
the city is a lot of events. I feel like the summer season is
kicking off almost in full swing,and a big part of that is the
Hertford Taste which is coming up shortly, So if you could talk about the
event, Mariam. Yes, theChamber is a proud partner of the second
annual Taste Festival that's taking place onJune ninth and June tenth on Constitution Plaza.
The purpose is to really celebrate therich cultural diversity of our region's restaurant

(03:53):
community, while also donating proceeds toConnecticut Food Share to fight against food and
security here in the state. Fantastic. And that is June ninth and tenth,
so Friday and Saturday. So hopefullywe will have beautiful, gorgeous weather.
I'm sure we will. Everyone willbe doing their sun dances. So
and Sarah the Hartford as another hugepartner supporter for the event this year.

(04:15):
So before we talk about that support, if you don't mind not that really
the Hartford needs an introduction or arefresher such a core pillar of our community
here, but if you don't mindgiving a reminder on kind of who you
are and what you do here.Sure, the Hartford is a leader in
property and casualty insurance, group benefitsand mutual funds, and we have a
really proud history of supporting the cityof Hartford, which we've called home for

(04:40):
two hundred and thirteen years now,and we're really committed to seeing its residents
and businesses thrive. Fantastic and now, so two hundred and thirteen years,
what's the chamber two hundred and twentyfive? Yeah, I want to say
something, Yeah, competition. Iwonder if the Hartford was Chamber members about

(05:00):
when they first started. Yeah,I guess yes, that's fantastic. And
Sarah, you know, as Imentioned you second year, second year of
a huge partnership. The Hartford isthe title sponsor of the Hartford Taste,
and if you could talk a littlebit on just why is it so important
for the Hertford to be involved atthe Hartford We ensure nearly one point five

(05:20):
million small businesses across the country,and we have such a deep respect and
appreciation for small business owners. Theymanage so much and they bring their passion
to serve their communities every day.One of our company's most celebrated programs,
it's called Heart Mobs, and itstarted about ten years ago from a group

(05:42):
of employees, a very grassroots effort. They just wanted to do something for
our small business customers, so theytook it upon themselves to come together on
a Saturday morning and organize and gatherto support our small business customers. So
in the early days they might havehad fifteen or so folk come together and
buy donuts from a bakery, butit's now grown to a nationwide program.

(06:09):
We have thousands of employees participating eachyear, and we have both in person
and virtual events. We create holidaygift guides featuring our small business customers for
employees to keep top of mind forseasonal purchases. We use our social media
platforms and customer newsletters to feature smallbusiness owners, and we always buy gifts

(06:30):
for our partners from small business customersof ours. Yes, this wonderful program,
I'm going to you for Christmas timenow, that is it. Yes,
And we actually have a pop upshop on the Hartford's campus where we
host our customers a couple times amonth. So last month, for example,
as part of our celebration excuse me, celebration of National Small Business Week,

(06:54):
we welcomed a favorite amongst our employees, Norah Cupcakes from Middletown. Yes,
so good, always a crowd pleaser. And then a first time heart
Mob participant, Mitzi Cosmetics, alsofrom the Middletown area. So when we
think about Hertford Taste, it's likethe ultimate heartmob because we have so many
small businesses in one place. Sowe're excited, fantastic, No, certainly

(07:15):
will be a great day. Andyou know, as part of your title
sponsorship too, as you're covering thecost for all of the restaurants to be
there, which is absolutely incredible.Yes, and that's part of our commitment
to supporting the small business community inways that go above and beyond the insurance
policy. This event is an importantopportunity for small businesses to showcase their offerings

(07:39):
and connect with a broader audience andexpand their customer base. And though the
pandemic is largely behind us. Brandawareness continues to be a challenge for many
small businesses. Definitely with all thegrowth happening in Hartford, especially through the
Heartlift program, we want to providea platform for everyone to get to know
our small businesses. Well that's incredibof all. And one of the small

(08:01):
businesses is Chris Anne. We're soexcited to have you here with us today
and can talk about a little bitabout first things. First is about the
Ittel Juicery Company, So thank youagain for having me um I tell duc
for company. We are pioneering tocreate a digital photo basis by cultivating m

(08:24):
the community. So it's basically weare a vegan, plant based business and
also sectarian. We also provide avariety of products. Okay, Fantastic And
where are you guys located? Ihear you are out and about around the
city and it's so if you couldshare a little bit more on how listeners

(08:45):
can find you. So we're basicallytrying to move into the surf Factory to
Lisa Kitchen space Bear, so we'rewaiting on that and that's where we're going
to be located at Fantastic and thiswill be your second year also participation in
the Hertford Taste. Can you talkabout what was your experience in the first
year? Well, you know,I'm through to again participate in the Hartford

(09:09):
Taste. Last year I was ableto meet so many people and bring new
business and this is a great wayto make money while supporting to see PEOPLEOD
share. Yes, definitely. Andso now if we're going to your booth,
what Christian can we expect to begetting this year at the Hertford Taste
over at your spot? Well,you know, I would say a bizarre,

(09:31):
a whole bizarre, not just onething. We're getting a whole bizarre,
Okay, tell us more, tellus more. So it would be
a bizarre, a premium top tierafter Caribbean juicers, movies and tease,
Hawaiian lemonade both strawberry and regular lemonade, you know, Vegan Bubba Tea or
Bubba Team, the Iso Vegan Jamaicanpatties, and maybe the seafood patties as

(09:56):
well. So I was telling Iwould tell everyone all roads leads to hart
Food Taste, make sure you bookit in your calendar. Oh my dear,
I love it, Christie, andI love it so again. I
should not have started the show hungryand Christie, I really I thought of
it last night and I blew itbecause we should have had some of your
treats here in studio today because youknow, then we could really tell listeners

(10:16):
what it's all about. Right,So next time, I think Christiane will
have to put you on the spotthere, so perfect, Well, Christiane,
We're excited to see you in personat the taste. And I guess
if you were to say someone whohasn't you know, experienced the whole Bizarre
yet, where where would you recommendthey start? Kind of as they visit

(10:39):
your booth this year, Um,definitely start at my booth of course.
Yeah. And what should they starteating or drinking at your booth? Um
start with a start with one ofour il vegan Jamaican parties and one of
our juices of course. Definitely.Okay, perfect, I know what I'm
doing Friday, June ninth yet tokick things off. Fantastic And you know

(11:01):
this year or too. In additionto the whole bizarre over, Christianna's planning
is the event is going to beeven larger, with more restaurants this year,
more music, more activities. SoMarian would love if you could talk
a little bit about this. Yeah, last year was the first annual.
I believe we had about twenty restaurantsparticipate. This year it's thirty plus.
I think her up to thirty fiverestaurants now, so it's growing in size

(11:26):
by the second year. There's twostages. There's live are about thirty or
so, musical acts and food demonstrations. So the festivals growing in size and
foot Prince sise as well and activities. It's I'm very excited, Yes,
definitely very exciting. And could youtalk maybe about some of the participating restaurants.
Oh, yeah, so you knowwe have a few chamber members of

(11:48):
course. Yes, so we haveBP Cuisine and Pastry is going to be
there. Aurora's which is on CapitolAvenue, is going to be there.
Capital ice Cream is going to bethere. Heartlift also Heartlift participant El gaio
E El COOKEI. They haven't openedyet, They're going to be on Pratt
Street, but they are participating inthe festival, and we think that is
fabulous to get people kind of likea sample taste before they open. Yes,

(12:11):
and I'm going to plug They've hadthe best rice I still say,
I don't know what's in it,but I don't care. It is the
greatest rice I've ever tried. Icannot wait till Yeah. I've been waiting
for them patiently on Pratt Street almostevery day, looking at the progress of
their construction. Who else the Rockand Chicken is going to be there?
Who are also chamber members and theplace to be with their fantastic drinks and
desserts and food fantastic Oh goodness.Yeah, the list as long as you

(12:37):
said, close to thirty five restaurantsand all serving different you know, food,
beverage items, a lot of differentstuff. So and again, Sarah,
we kind of touched on this,you know, the Hartford again supporting
all of the restaurants to be there, and you know too want to just
touch you highlighted really the importance ofdoing this for them, but additionally to
kind of what else do you feelis really the impact long term for these

(13:00):
restaurants. You know, certainly here'sthe day where they're able to go and
have people provide samples. But haveyou received any feedback on kind of what's
the impact after the event has beenYes, you know, I think people
come to appreciate just the rich culturethat we have in the capital region here,
and a lot of that is expressedthrough food. So we have folks

(13:22):
who have said, you know,I discovered this restaurant last year at Hartford
Taste and now it's one of mygo to So we want Hartford to continue
to be a destination to draw peoplein and come to these restaurants not just
on that day, but come visitlater in the year and throughout the year.
So that's the goal. And we'vestarted to see sort of the promise

(13:43):
of that come true from last year, so we just want to deepen that
impact going forward. It's incredible.I know personally for me, I've never
been to Core Core and I havetheir food last year and yes I'm a
frequent frequent visitor now. So it'sgreat and really the Hertford in addition to
the Hartford Taste, you know,doing so much kind of again around the

(14:03):
community. I don't know if youcould talk a little bit about, you
know, kind of what you haveupcoming for this summer. This summer,
we have a really great event comingup later this month in Wallingford, Connecticut.
So the Hartford as a leading providerof Disability insurance. We have a
program where we are making adaptive sportsmore accessible for athletes of all abilities.

(14:26):
Okay, and so we are partneringwith the Gaylord Sports Association in Wallingford for
an event called the gay Lord Gauntlet. It's a five k trail and obstacle
race for athletes of all abilities.And at the race, gay Lord Sports
Association will be debuting some new adaptivesports equipment donated by the Hartford So anybody

(14:48):
can come out and race for agood cause. You can also just come
out to cheer on others or ofcourse make a donation and you can find
more information about that at Gaylord dotorg. Fantastic, what sounds like a
busy summer then, and you know, and certainly with the Hartford taste,
I think last year you had thecutest setup when you entered the event.
It was you know, a lounge, a great area and a lot of

(15:11):
the Hartford employees there too. Ifyou could talk about that employee engagement and
you know, which is just Ithink so incredible, really shows the support
not only as a corporate level,but then also as individuals too. Yes,
so we will have a shuttle runningfor employees on Friday to bring them
continuously down to get more snacks thatof the afternoon. And yes, we

(15:31):
do have a great big spot rightup front on the plaza where anybody can
come in and catch some shade andjust relax, hang out, catch a
breather in between courses, and ouremployees will be saying hello to all the
participating restaurants, thanking them for beingpart of the event. And then a
special thing for those of the participatingrestaurants who are our customers, We're going

(15:54):
to have a stuffed Larry. That'sour mascot. I have one of my
dabs. We will have a stuffedLarry at the locations of our participating customers
so that our employees can stop byand say, you know, thank you
for being a customer and so gladthat you're here today. I love that.
And now, what kind of percentageAnd I may be putting you on

(16:15):
the spot here, but percentage Iguess of you know restaurants and participants that
are partners with the Hartford, youknow, it's interesting a good number of
them are. But I think what'sexciting too is that we have seen this
growth and we have some new restaurantson the scene, especially through the Heartlift
program. There are lots of newcomerswho we aren't familiar with yet. So

(16:37):
it's a great opportunity for everyone toget to know what's available outside of our
customer base. Inside of our customerbase, it's going to be a great
day. That's wonderful, certainly isgoing to And you know, Marian and
Sarah, you've both referenced Heartlift afew times throughout this conversation, so want,
I always think great to kind oftalk more about it. But Marian,
if you could just remind listeners aboutthe Heartlift program is and then we

(17:02):
can talk a little bit kind ofthe latest to date. Well, you
know the insider scoop today of course. So Hartlift is a grant program that
we've received. We have we receivedart per dollars. The City of Hartford
received our per dollars for U topretty much battle the restaurants that have been
closing and a lot of spaces thathave been closing throughout COVID and throughout the
city. There was a lot ofvacant ground floor spaces. So the Hartlift

(17:26):
program pretty much partnered with property ownersand business owners as a matching grant to
actually cover the cost of build outexpenses for new businesses and existing businesses around
the city since its inception. Forthe year I've been in this position a
year, I've been working the programa year. We've accepted sixty two new

(17:48):
businesses since its inception UM and thatincludes you know, I would say about
thirty percent of them our new restaurantsUM that would be coming to the city
or restaurant security familiar with that havebeen spruced up. Shout out to Sunbury
who just reopened as well, whois also a Heartlift recipient with their fabulous
renovation as well. So throughout thesummertime, you'll be seeing a lot of

(18:10):
construction going on in the downtown andin the neighborhoods and will be you know,
ribbon cutting all fall, all fall, winter and then into spring for
these new restaurants that are going tobe coming into the city. The program
has been wildly successful. We receivedsix million dollars of arper dollars, that's
how much money we have delved out. We actually overcommitted just a little bit,

(18:33):
but you know, it's all forthe good of you know, the
economic development of the city. Sovery excited to assist small businesses and you
know, watch the city grow.Definitely one of those sixty two. I
understand probably about ten or so thatare open at this point. And you
know, certainly construction timelines can alwaysbe tricky. But any estimations on kind
of when the next batch of openingswill be, I would say the next

(18:56):
batch would probably be towards the endof the summer. We've been getting estimates
about August September time. I don'tI wish either is there would to knock
on Yeah, yeah, even athome. You know, things happen with
construction. But the estimated time whereyou'll see a large batch of them would
probably be August into September time.A few of them are open now,

(19:18):
such as I already mentioned sun BerryUM today we actually have a ribbon cutting
for Raw which is on two eightyTrumbull Street. They're on Trumbull and Church
Um and they're opening as well ontheir heartlift participant. Also, UM,
let me see who else is arestaurant to check out? UM Secrets on
Main Street to fifty Main Street isanother a West Indian restaurant that is a

(19:40):
heartlift participant as well. UM.But the batch, the large batch is
gonna be towards the end of thesummer into early fall though. It's coming.
It's coming though, and I'm veryexcited. Yeah, it's great and
certainly wonderful for the city of Hartford. And Christianne would love to hear from
you too. You know, you'vechosen to really grow your business here and
am I saying it corrects Christiana etall? Am I going to say that cracks

(20:03):
there? Perfect? So Christianne,certainly you've chosen to grow eye tall business
here in Hartford, and you know, talking about expanding here, what really
makes makes you choose Hartford and lovebeing a part of the city, I
would say, be a diversity,the many different options and um, knowing

(20:25):
that I want to make a differencein my community, I love that and
certainly you feel Hartford's being able toallow you those opportunities. Definitely fantastic.
So well, again, very excitedto test out everything that you're going to
be having at the Hartford Taste.And you know, as we kind of
look as or any other highlights Marianthat we're missing about the Taste, I'm

(20:45):
trying to think we've got the musiccovered. Over thirty bands that will be
participating on both days. We haveall the food art what was that?
A lot of art? Yes,yes, live art there. I actually
don't know much about it because Idon't know who the artist is, but
apparently they're going to be live arton the constitution that you can watch artists

(21:06):
kind of make a mural. Andthat's all I really know, but I
wish I knew a little bit more. But I do know. They really
wanted to amplify the art piece ofthe festival this year, so they have
a lot of artists involved in that. So it's not just music, it's
art as well, and a lotof family fun activities. Fantastic. I
love it. This is good.So and again countdowns on for the June

(21:26):
ninth and tenth, and Marian talkedabout a lot of businesses opening up,
a lot of events happening, anythingelse to highlight kind of on the event
side that's coming up here in thecity, which may we need another two
hours to do that. But sosummertime in Hartford, I feel like it's
the best time in Heartford. Thereare so many events going on. Honestly,
on June tenth, which is thesame day as the Taste Festival,

(21:48):
there's the cap Fest which is happeningon Capitol Avenue. There's a lot of
street vendors and it's kind of likea marketplace that's set up on the parking
lot on Capitol Avenue. There isa party on Pratt Street. Pratt Street
Kickoff is also happening on the sameday, so it's kind of like a
summertime kickoff. But events that peopleshould definitely check out is Pratt Streets,

(22:08):
also Social which happens the last Fridayof every month, the Jazz Festival,
which happens in July, which isour largest festival. Other events to check
out. The largest event I feellike we do in the city is the
Jazz Fest which happens in July,as well, the Food Truck Festival,
the Caribbean Festivals. I believe thefollowing week after Taste Festival. The city

(22:32):
of Hartford is also planning a JuneScene celebration in Bushnell Park as well.
So summer in the city's really kickingoff. I would say, you know,
to stay in tune with all ofit to probably go to Hartford dot
com check out their events section.There's something to do every weekend. There's
new shows coming out too. Iwent to go see the Rembrandt at the
Theater Works, and they're coming outwith a new show, which I believe

(22:53):
is called The Clyde next month aswell in July. So I'm encouraging people
to step out of Hartford. Ifyou go to one event, try to
check out another event or another restaurant. Try to make your full day in
the city because there's so much todo there really is. And also Hartford
Live coming up, which yea,howcould I forget? Oh my gosh,

(23:14):
No, it's because there's too much. And the Chamber is a partner Hartford
Live. It is an amazing concertseries that happens on State Statehouse Square.
It happens on Thursdays, and itis a great time. Yes, it
is. I would also add aplug on June tenth. You mentioned combining
events, so yes, the AmistonCenter for Art and Culture has their Juneteenth

(23:37):
Family Day on Saturday, June tenth, and that's walkable from Constitution Plaza,
so if you need to take abreak between courses, you can walk down
I think it's six hundred Main Streetand they're going to have lots of family
fun activities as part of their celebrationof Juneteenth. The Hartford partners with them
on that every year. We havea lot of our employees volunteering there and
then probably coming over to get snacked. So it's a lot that's wonderful.

(24:02):
Right, That's exactly what we wantfor our city, so exactly, definitely,
all right, that's so great.So certainly June tenth is going to
be a busy, busy day herein the city of Hartford, So all
right. To close out the show, it's typically we ask what to love
people love most about living or workinghere in the region. But I think
today, since we are coming upon the Taste, I'm gonna ask each

(24:25):
of you put you on the spoton kind of what are you most excited
about, either to try at thetaste or experience at the taste. So,
I know, a very difficult question. So I know, Christianne,
certainly I'm putting your booth on andyour whole bizarre on my top of my
list. But Christianne, is thereanything else you're very excited about for the

(24:45):
taste this year? I am excitedabout the art, art, music,
the people, everything, everything fantasticand if people want to learn more or
christian about etall and kind of whatyou know what you guys are doing.
Where could people go to get moreinformation? Um, you could check out

(25:07):
our Facebook page or Instagram and ourwebsite is supped to be launched at I
told Jus that shot fantastic, fantastic. We'll look forward to seeing you on
the ninth and let's see why not. Sarah will put you on the spot
next. I know this is atough question, but what would you say
your most or one of the thingsyou're very excited about. So at our

(25:30):
press event announcing the return of HartfordTaste last month, the owner of Rostaurant
was there and she was talking abouther rasta pasta and I have been dreaming
about it ever since, so Ithink that might be my first stop.
It's going to be a tie.Maybe I can get some Hawaiian lemonade from
Etel Juicery and that can go withmy rasta pasta. There you go.

(25:53):
Oh, I'm liking your game plan. I love restaurants, So my plan
was to get a juice a juice. I was hoping you come with the
Hibiscus juice eye taw um, that'smy favorite. If I hope it's there,
So I'm just going to throw thatout there and then I was going

(26:15):
to get a jek pasta as well. Yeah, well so there we go.
All right, Well, Sarah,where can people go to learn more
about the Hartford and all the incrediblework you're doing here in our community.
They can visit the Hertford dot comfantastic and Marian more info on the taste.
We should share that shoes, weshould I don't remember the name of

(26:36):
our website. Oh my god,is it just Taste festival dot com?
Hertford, The Hartford Taste, theHertford dot com. Look at you,
thank you thinking about all this pasta, the juices and this is it?
So but yes, more information thereis at the Heartford Taste dot com and
Marian. Where can people go tolearn more about the Chamber and all the
work that the Harvard Chamber of Commerceis doing here and actually follow us on
Instagram Hertford Chamber CT. Get tosee some of the new things that are

(27:00):
going to be springing up, theribbon cuttings that are happening, and events
that are also happening. And ifyou're interested in becoming a Chamber remember please
reach out Hartford CHAMBERCT dot com.Fantastic. Well everyone, thank you so
much for being here, being onthe show today and being a part of
really, you know, the greatthings that are happening here in Hartford.
Thank you of course, of course, and as we close out the show

(27:23):
today is we would like to welcomea new investor to the MHA. So
we refer to our members as investorsbecause they are investing in the work we
are doing to help promote and growthe region. So today we welcome the
Hartford Film Company. The Hartford FilmCompany is a full service production company producing
TV commercials, narrative films, documentaries, and more, specializing in helping local

(27:48):
companies connect with younger audiences. They'veworked with businesses and nonprofits throughout the state
of Connecticut. For more information,visit Hartford Film dot com. For all
the details about today's show, youcan visit Metro Hartford dot com. A
big thank you to our show partnerOkill and thanks you for listening. We
look forward to seeing you out onConstitution Plaza on June ninth and June tenth.

(28:11):
Again, you can go out andcheck out the Hartford Taste dot com
for more information and again thanks forlistening. I'm Kate Allman. Go out
and make today a good day herein Connecticut.